Supermodel Beverly Johnson has joined the growing list of women who claim to have been drugged and assaulted by Bill Cosby. In the December 11 Vanity Fair, Johnson describes how she and her daughter visited the Cosby Show set in the 1980s and her subsequent meeting alone with the comedian in the house he shared with his wife Camille.

Johnson concisely tells how Cosby urged her to drink fresh coffee. Immediately after quaffing the brew against her express preference – it was late and she wanted to get a good night’s sleep – the room began to spin and she felt dizzy. Cosby began to grope her but she disengaged and tried to flee. He then wrenched Johnson’s arm while throwing her down the stairs. She escaped.

With commendable candor, Johnson explains why she didn’t go to the police or media:

How could I fight someone that boldly arrogant and out of touch? In the end, just like the other women, I had too much to lose to go after Bill Cosby. I had a career that would no doubt take a huge hit if I went public with my story and I certainly couldn’t afford that after my costly divorce and on going court fees.

Johnson also states plausibly: “I thought [Cosby’s assault] was something that only happened to me, and that I was somehow responsible.” Now however, Johnson writes, “the last four weeks have changed everything, as so many women have shared similar stories, of which the press have belatedly taken heed.”

Johnson explains her recent decision to publicize Cosby’s assault by reference to her work with sexually abused children. “I watch in awe of their bravery as they work to recover and feel better. How could I be any less brave?”

I admire Johnson’s honest accounting of her conflicted feelings in the aftermath of Cosby’s assault on her. I believe her when she says that she thought she was Cosby’s only victim and do believe it was truly brave of Beverly Johnson to fight Cosby after he had drugged her and was trying to rape her.

Nevertheless, I reject her self-aggrandizing final sentence. It was not brave of Johnson to write about what Cosby did to her nearly three decades after the fact and after many other women have already come forward.

Willingly facing tough questions from skeptical police would have been brave. Risking her career by challenging a rich and powerful man would have been brave. Doing whatever she could to protect potential future victims from a sexual predator would have been brave. Sadly, Beverly Johnson demonstrated less admirable traits after she escaped Cosby’s clutches.

Are you taking a page out of my book & posting as a contrarian to make people think & not always reflexively respond to issues based only on their previously established political bent? This post of yours was definitely written from a man’s “blame the victim” perspective.

I & many other thinking/caring individuals see abuses everyday in the workplace that should be brought to light. However, very few of us are willing to destroy our careers & go “Snowden”. In fact, very few of us are willing to jump on even at the point that doing so might help create an unstoppable snowball.

On the specific topics of sexual harassment &/or sexual assault, I suspect that at some point the majority of women experience this in the workplace and/or in their interrelated personal lives but they don’t report it. Are you really saying that any victim that does not report is a coward and that it is their fault that such behaviors by men hasn’t stopped?

In Johnson’s case, you can be sure that Cosby would have denied that he drugged anyone. Given Cosby’s money, power, & public admiration, Johnson would have been permanently labeled as a gold digger (and worse). Johnson’s career would have been destroyed because if for no other reason than to protect themselves, no man in a position of power would ever dare to associate themselves with her.

Nope. I stand by what I wrote. I don’t believe she would have been labeled a gold digger if she had gone straight to the police, had a blood test done, and sworn out an affidavit. Moreover, she could have made clear that she wasn’t in it for the money. Bravery means risking something to protect somebody.

The most common response of rape victims is to go home and shower much of the evidence away. You expected Johnson to fully analyze the situation, realize for 1000% sure that she had been drugged, and go to the police to make life-altering accusations (that likely even she herself found difficult to believe) – all while sick as a dog & just wanting to go home to sleep the drug off.

There are perhaps other aspects to Johnson’s story that we don’t fully understand. I heard one generally reliable caller to KGO (who says she knows Johnson) say that primarily due to drug use, Johnson did not have an impeccable background that she would have wanted Cosby to make public at that time. A subsequent seemingly knowledgeable caller said he felt Johnson was reluctant to come forward at that time because she previously had made similar accusations against two other persons with whom she had relationships, & in those two cases the general consensus was that she had lied.

Abuse victims often go on to form relationships with other abusers, and Cosby probably picked his victims well. There is likely much to their relationship that we don’t know (and no still means no regardless). I have no interest to investigate Johnson’s past, but I have little reason to doubt the accuracy of what I presented above either – it is typical of show business.

Not many are able to live up to your expectations about such things Hal, which is why Cosby got away with his behavior for so long. Do you understand that to get ahead in society, women must often play on their sexual attractiveness, but when they do & then say no, they are frequently not believed? Why don’t you ask the women in your life how they feel? I think you will find the gender divide will be similar to the racial divide that even I have some trouble with (mainly because the race issue often gets pressed forward with a poor choice of a posterchild; overall statistics clearly show that such discrimination exists).

I reread what we both wrote & skimmed the Vanity Fair article for the first time. I might agree that instead of Johnson saying “How could I be any less brave?”, she might have more appropriately said “How could I continue to be afraid?”

However, I don’t think it is fair that you are parsing the nuance of Johnson’s words so precisely & using this against her when Johnson was was so clearly a sexual assault victim. This suggests to me a misogynistic lack of understanding & compassion re how women so frequently respond to such ordeals and the conflicts they so frequently struggle with.

In reading the article, I also realized that the cliche phrase “How could I be any less brave” might have only been used as a literary tool to concisely punctuate and conclude the Vanity Fair article in an emotionally powerful way. The exact words may not have been those of Johnson herself, but instead may have been selected by a Vanity Fair ghost writer or editor.

In fairness though, I have also been accused of being a misogynist at times. I have issues with women that dress in an inappropriately provocative way &/or those that flirt with men and lead them on for their own personal gain (especially in the workplace). While such women don’t deserve to be assaulted or raped, I do feel it is somewhat unfair when women that do this later protest the elicited response claiming complete and absolute innocence. Such behavior by both genders is also unfair to other workers in the workplace that don’t involve themselves in such inappropriate behaviors.

In the case of Johnson & Cosby, clearly Cosby’s alleged actions were criminal. However, it is unknown what level of flirtation had occurred up to that point (if any) that resulted in Johnson being exposed to this apparent predator. One also has to keep in mind that this is a showbiz case, and in this industry it is almost impossible for women to get ahead unless they make the most of their legitimate (and often their seedy) opportunities.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8

In China, Google has explored launching a new, special search engine that would meet the demands of the country’s strict Internet censors. Meanwhile, in the US, regulators/users increasingly demand Silicon Valley apply a heavier hand in moderating onlin

(Wednesday, Aug 29. 2018 03:19 AM)

2prevent harassment, stop hate speech & ensure civil political discourse. Now down the slippery slope goes Trump right into the totalitarian rabbit hole. T today accused Google of being “RIGGED” against him because the “search results for ‘Trump News’” show mostly “BAD” coverage about him from “Fake News Media.” And Larry Kudlow, National Economic Council director, said the T admin is “taking a look” at whether Google should be regulated. That’s not fake news, it’s scary news. http://tinyurl.com/ybctd59s

Correction: For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 release is reduced <40%, not <50%. System best described as a waste heat concentrator that then drives a turbine & generates electricity. The technique utilizes OFF-THE-SHELF proven tech. Initially, wast

(Sunday, Aug 12. 2018 01:28 PM)

would otherwise be released to the enviro is used 2drive a turbine that pressurizes air. This air is then stored underground @ ambient temps (either in an exhausted gas/oil field or in other common geologic formations). During /peak demand/ electric load periods, this air is piped 2where it is warmed by waste heat from the plant-s current operations. This increases the air-s energy density 2where it is sufficient 2operate a turbine & electric generator. Net result is that what was once considered waste heat pollution that costs money to dispose of can now generate electricity.

what has traditionally been unusable/polluting waste heat as pressurized air. This air later operates efficient modified turbines. 2X plant efficiency poss during peak periods. For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 reduced <50%. Pressurized air can also time-shift electric output from renewables. Dr Bill not alone: http://goo.gl/dCuvqh As for marquee claim, pressurized air can prevent nuke meltdowns by serving as alt coolant during critical 1st 72hrs w/o H2O. http://goo.gl/b1DCV9 While some radiation would be discharged in air, idea better than a meltdown.

T admin now wants to make it harder for legal immigrants to become US Citzns. Under a recent proposal, legal immigrants wouldnt be allowed to obtain citizenship or green cards if they’ve ever used the social programs many working-class ppl use at so

(Wednesday, Aug 8. 2018 04:30 AM)

like the ACA (Obamacare), Children’s Health Insurance, or foodstamps. Proposal won’t require congressional approval. As the Clinton admin did in 1999, T admin would redefine the term /public charge/, a feature of immigration law since 1800s. More than 20M immigrants would thus be prevented from ever voting. Immigration attys r planning2 push back in the courts, but Repubs r packing the courts too, so… https://goo.gl/6mSW1H

Earlier this wk, a Koch brothers-sponsored study shared widely w/corporate media tried2 scare ppl into thinking Medicare-for-all would be too expensive for our country. But what the study did was show that Medicare-for-all would actually save the American

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 11:34 PM)

people $2T over 10yrs. And it would do so while providing hlth care for 30M Americans who dont have it today & eliminating premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to private hlth ins companies. Sounds like a good deal to me. So I want to thank the Koch brothers. I do not think their study had its intended effect. s/Bernie Sanders. http://goo.gl/y9ChnC (In fairness, Bernie forgets2 mention the premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to Medicare/Medigap ins/PrescriptionDrugPlans. Medicare isn’t free 2 most end users but would cost less & improve results.

KSCO did a tribute show today from 10-noon w/guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was2 successfully obtain a patent 4a method to quench out-of-control nuke reactors. I would

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:49 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods with complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation – energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

I’m listening to a tribute show KSCO is doing today from 10-noon with guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was to successfully obtain a patent for a method to quench o

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:41 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods w/complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation — energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

Dr Bill Wattenburg, KGO radio talk host & scientist, passed away Thurs at age 82 due to complications of cancer. Dr Bill was a fixture on KGO from 1975-2011. I have missed Dr Bill’s input in recent yrs. I always held high respect for his scientific knowledge & his scientifically-based ideas. However, when it came to politics, his attitudes were sometimes abysmal & towards people that didn’t worship at his feet, he had a nasty mean streak. https://goo.gl/d98JUF

Did Trump Meet With His Counterpart — Or His Handler? A plausible theory of mind-boggling collusion. By Jonathan Chait @ nymag.com. That the GRU & Putin would have in the past behaved badly… well that is no more surprising

(Sunday, Jul 22. 2018 09:56 PM)

than the known past behavior of our own spooks/leaders. But that doesnt mean we cant now get along & work towards mutual betterment. I believe common ground w/RU is as poss as w/China & Europe. In that 1 very specific respect, I think Trump’s thinking is correct. Our biggest prob isnt the Russians, but the fact that our politicians are under the influence of corrupt money from foreign/corporate/mob/oligarchs. We should inoculate ourselves w/better cybersecurity, public campaign financing, & verifiable paper ballots — not by alienating RU. https://goo.gl/FGTHH7

Hope KKSF succedes so as2 better inform SF commuters. However, they have weak signal here & no local/state content except4 NBC news on hr. They also rerun same 4 shows 24/7. PBC says he contacted them but learned they have no

(Saturday, Jul 21. 2018 08:11 PM)

budget4 local talent. KGO however moving back 2roots taking more calls. This forces content from cheesy dribble 2 current & even local. And if Jack Swanson comes back as PD, PBC hopeful he & others might get gigs. R country has lost its way w/greedy corporate raiders that load formerly honorable/viable business w/unmanageable debt. The raiders then micromanage massive cuts trying2 maximize profit, but they r so incompetent that they cant even retain previous profits. Laws need to change.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8